[418]Then followed the great work of gathering together the true followers of Christ Jesus, regardless of denomination, sect, kindred, or tongue.  Charles Taze Russell, who afterwards became better known as Pastor Russell, was the greatest preacher of modern times.  He was elected pastor of upwards of 1,200 congregations at one time.  He traveled all over the earth proclaiming the message of the divine plan of the ages, particularly calling attention of Christians to the presence of the Lord.  Between the years 1881 and 1904 he wrote and published in six volumes the STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES giving a full and detailed explanation of the various features of the divine plan.  These books were translated into about thirty languages and their combined circulation exceeded 11,000,000 copies.  In 1917 the seventh volume of the series of STUDIES IN THE SCRIPTURES was published, known as “The Finished Mystery”, which has had a very wide circulation.  These books are the first clear explanation of the divine plan ever published.  In addition to the above, he published and widely circulated various booklets, “What Say the Scriptures About Hell?” “Spiritism,” “The Bible Versus Evolution,” “Tabernacle Shadows,” and many other tracts, pamphlets, etc.  He was the author of the Photo-Drama of Creation, as well as the scenario used for this drama, which gives an outline of the divine plan from the creation to the times of restitution.  He organized and conducted a lecture bureau which employed a large force of Bible lecturers who traveled and who yet travel throughout the world, proclaiming the message of the divine plan.  For a period of time his sermons were published weekly in more than 2,000 newspapers, with a combined circulation of 15,000,000 readers; and in all about 4,000 different newspapers published his sermons.  Some idea of the scope of his work can be understood from the words written in The Continent, a publication not friendly to him: 

[419]"His writings are said to have a greater newspaper circulation every week than those of any other living man; greater, doubtless, than the combined circulation of the writings of all the priests and preachers in North America; greater even than the work of Arthur Brisbane, Norman Hapgood, George Horace Lorimer, Dr. Frank Crane, Frederick Haskins, and a dozen other of the best known editors and syndicate writers put together.”

[420]Without a doubt Pastor Russell filled the office for which the Lord provided and about which he spoke, and was therefore that wise and faithful servant, ministering to the household of faith meat in due season.  Pastor Russell finished his earthly course in 1916.

[421]In 1884 he caused to be incorporated the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, intended by him to continue the work of the harvest after his earthly career was finished, and which is yet carrying it on.